ABB(ABBNY) - 2024 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics - Orders increased by 2% in Q3 2024, with a positive book-to-bill ratio and record-level margins [3] - Revenues improved by 2% in the quarter, but excluding Robotics & Discrete Automation (RA) and E-mobility, revenues were up 7% year-to-date [3] - Operational EBITA margin reached 19%, with Electrification contributing significantly at 24% margin [4] - Free cash flow year-to-date was $2.6 billion, with a target to match last year's$ 3.7 billion [5] - Earnings per share reached $0.51, up$ 0.03 from last year [14] Business Line Performance - Electrification: Orders grew by 10%, with revenues reaching a record $3.9 billion, up 10% YoY. Operational EBITA margin hit 24.1% [15][16] - **Motion**: Orders decreased by 4%, but short-cycle orders remained stable. Revenues were up 1% to$ 2 billion, with a record margin of 20.7% [17][18] - Process Automation: Orders remained stable at $1.8 billion, with revenues growing 6% YoY. Operational EBITA margin was 15.2% [19][20] - **Robotics & Discrete Automation**: Orders dropped by 4%, with Machine Automation facing significant challenges. Revenues declined by 20%, with a focus on cost-saving measures [21][22] Regional Performance - **Americas**: Orders declined by 6%, but excluding timing impacts, orders grew at a double-digit rate [12] - **EMEA**: Orders increased by 8%, driven by strong performance in Australia and India [12] - **China**: Orders declined by 2% YoY, but sequentially remained stable [12] - **Europe**: Orders grew by 6%, with significant improvement in Germany [12] Strategic Direction and Industry Competition - The company is focusing on the electrification trend, with strong demand in data centers and utilities [9][10] - ABB aims to outgrow the data center market, which is expected to grow in double digits in the midterm [11] - The company is investing in R&D, with 55% of R&D employees focusing on software and digital solutions [67] - ABB is also focusing on sustainability, targeting an 80% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 [80] Management Commentary on Market Environment and Future Outlook - The company expects full-year revenue growth of below 5%, with operational EBITA margin slightly above 18% [25][26] - Management highlighted challenges in Discrete Automation, with normalization expected by Q2 2025 [32] - The company is optimistic about the long-term growth of automation and robotics, despite short-term challenges [90] Other Important Information - ABB completed the acquisition of Födisch Group, adding$ 55 million in revenues, and closed the SEAM deal, adding $19 million in revenues [5][6] - The company welcomed new business area Presidents for Electrification and Motion, both with long careers at ABB [6] - ABB is focusing on cost-saving measures, including a 25% reduction in headcount in Machine Automation [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Electrification Margins and Capacity - ABB has added capacity in North America, particularly in the U.S. and Mexico, to meet market demand with shorter lead times [28] - The company does not believe it has reached the peak of benefits from volume drivers in electrification [29] Question: Machine Automation Trends - Machine Automation is facing prolonged inventory adjustments, with normalization expected by Q2 2025 [31][32] - Germany showed a 33% growth in orders, but this was from a low base, indicating stabilization at a lower level [33] Question: Pricing Trends for 2025 - ABB expects pricing to remain a positive driver in 2025, with a focus on better project execution and cost control [35] Question: Order Backlog and 2025 Outlook - The order backlog shows growth in Electrification and Motion, but a significant decline in Robotics & Discrete Automation [38] - ABB does not provide specific guidance for 2025 but expects to remain within the 5% to 7% growth range [37] Question: Cost-Saving Measures in E-mobility and Robotics - ABB is focusing on reducing variable costs and streamlining fixed costs in E-mobility and Robotics, with a focus on R&D investments [40][43] Question: Seasonality in Q4 Margins - Q4 margins are expected to be lower than usual due to higher corporate costs and losses in E-mobility [44] Question: Competition in Robotics in China - ABB is facing increased competition from local players in China and is focusing on a "China for China" strategy to remain competitive [46][47] Question: Data Center Revenue Split - ABB's data center business is growing rapidly, with strong demand in medium voltage switchgear and low-voltage UPS [51][52] Question: Medium Voltage Profitability - ABB's medium voltage business has seen significant profitability improvements, driven by trends in data centers and utilities [91] Question: Software Strategy - ABB focuses on combining hardware and software to solve customer problems, with 55% of R&D engineers working on software [104] Question: E-mobility Recovery and Industry Consolidation - ABB is focusing on renewing its E-mobility product portfolio and will consider IPO or industry consolidation when the market is ready [109][110] Question: M&A and Leverage - ABB has capacity for M&A, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.4, and could comfortably increase leverage for the right deals [112]